There are far too few places in this world where Stetsons and Hammer pants can successfully coexist. On October 2-4, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park will become one of them with this year’s Strictly Bluegrass Festival. The festival, now in its ninth year, has a more extensive, eclectic and full-on excellent lineup than ever. Oh, and did we mention it’s free?

The spectrum of country and folk acts represented on the bill is a diverse and exciting one, from undisputed legends like Marianna Faithfull and John Prine to amber-voiced chanteuses like Neko Case and Emmylou Harris; from new generation indie festival favorites like Elvis Perkins and Okkervil River to folk-punk fascist-killers like Tom Morello and Billy Bragg. Oh, and Steve Martin too.

An interesting and refreshing development is the inclusion of more high-profile international and world-influenced acts. Amadou & Mariam will be on hand to deliver sunny, Conga line-inducing pop by way of Mali; the Chieftans will bring on the Celtic reels and Roger Knox will play his catalog of Australian Aboriginal-inspired country.

And yes, of course MC Hammer is back. His performance last year, while still inexplicable, was a friendly reminder of the fest’s to-hell-with-genres spirit and should be a good time again this year. No one is immune to Hammertime.

Anyway, here’s the full lineup (from the HSB website) for those who haven’t had a chance to gaze at it in a state of Magi-in-a-Nativity-scene-level awe yet:

And, since by this point you’re probably so excited that you’re flailing your arms about excitedly like some sort of Muppet, it seems only fitting to conclude with Steve Martin dueling “Deliverance”-style on “The Muppet Show”:

What are your thoughts on this year’s Hardly Strictly Bluegrass lineup? Who are you most looking forward to? Who could you stand to see taken off the bill or who would you like to see still added before October? Are you planning on going? Do you have any strong feelings about MC Hammer? Now would be the time to share.